Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome with agents interfering with inhibitory cytokines

Results of these trials provide evidence for biological activity and some clinical efficacy of agents potentially blocking inhibitory cytokines in patients with MDS. However, given the limited responses, it appears that factors additional to TNFalpha inhibitory activity contribute to the development of cytopenias in these patients. Further studies are warranted using anti-TNFalpha/anti-inhibitory cytokine approaches, either alone or in combination with other agents, capable of abrogating the effects of additional inhibitory mechanisms in MDS.